Method and apparatus for constructing a retaining wall

Abstract

A method and apparatus for constructing a retaining wall includes a first course having a pair of elongated beams positioned generally end-to-end on the ground, a deadman positioned between the adjacent ends of the beams and extending rearwardly therefrom, and a spacer block positioned on the ground rearwardly of an intermediate portion of one of the elongated beams. A second course is fastened on top of the first course and includes a third beam having each end fastened to the two elongated beams of the first course, and a deadman having its forward end fastened to one beam and the rearward end fastened to the spacer block so as to support the deadman during back filling of dirt against the retaining wall. Preferably, the spacer block, deadmen and beams all have the same cross-sectional width, and each component has a longitudinal length equal to a multiple of the cross-sectional width, so as to form a modular building component system. Each component has at least one countersunk anchor hole which will receive either a ground anchor or a screw-type fastener. The ground anchor is specially designed with wide, flat threads so as to engage the soil and prevent movement of the first course on the ground. Pilot holes are formed in the various components to receive the threaded portion of the wood screws to fasten the upper courses to lower courses.

I claim: 
     
       1. A method of constructing a retaining wall, comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of modular building components, including: at least first, second and third elongated beams having a forward face, rearward face, upper and lower sides and opposing ends;   at least first and second deadmen having forward ends, rearward ends and upper and lower sides;   at least one spacer block;   a plurality of ground anchor means; and   a plurality of fastener means;     fastening a first course of building components to the ground using said ground anchor means, including the steps of: fastening said first and second beams and said first deadman to the ground, said first deadman positioned on the ground between adjacent ends of said first and second beams, and projecting rearwardly therefrom;   fastening said spacer block to the ground spaced rearwardly from an intermediate portion of said first beam;     fastening a second course of modular building components to the upper side of the first course of modular building components utilizing said plurality of fastener means, comprising the steps of: fastening one end of said third beam to the upper side of said first beam;   fastening the opposite end of said third beam to the upper side of said second beam;   fastening the forward end of said second deadman to the upper side of said first beam, adjacent the end of said third beam; and   fastening the rearward end of said second deadman to the upper side of said spacer block; and   back filling soil against the constructed retaining wall.     
     
     
       2. A retaining wall, comprising: fastener means for selectively fastening an upper second course to the top of a lower first course;   a first course, including: at least two elongated beams positioned generally end to end on the ground, each beam having a forward face, rearward face, upper and lower sides and opposing ends;   a first deadman positioned on the ground between the adjacent ends of said first and second beams and projecting rearwardly therefrom, said deadman having a forward end, a rearward end, and upper and lower sides;   a spacer block positioned on the ground spaced rearwardly from an intermediate portion of said first beam, said spacer block having upper and lower sides; and     a second course including: a third beam having one end fastened to the upper side of said first beam and a second opposite end fastened to the upper side of said second beam; and   a second deadman having its forward end fastened to the upper side of said first beam, adjacent the end of said third beam, and extending rearwardly from said first beam, and having its rearward end fastened to the upper side of said spacer block to support the rearward end of said deadman during and after back filling of dirt against the retaining wall;     ground anchor means for fastening each said first and second beams, said first deadman, and said spacer block to the ground;   each said ground anchor means includes an enlarged head portion, an elongated shank depending from said head portion, and a thread portion at the lower end of said shank and spaced from said head portion, said thread portion comprising a wide, flat, tooth extending in a helix about said shank less than three revolutions, said revolutions being widely vertically spaced so as to grip ground soil.   
     
     
       3. A retaining wall, comprising: fastener means for selectively fastening an upper second course to the top of a lower first course;   a first course, including: at least two elongated beams positioned generally end to end on the ground, each beam having a forward face, rearward face, upper and lower sides and opposing ends;   a first deadman positioned on the ground between the adjacent ends of said first and second beams and projecting rearwardly therefrom, said deadman having a forward end, a rearward end, and upper and lower sides;   a spacer block positioned on the ground spaced rearwardly from an intermediate portion of said first beam, said spacer block having upper and lower sides; and     a second course including: a third beam having one end fastened to the upper side of said first beam and a second opposite end fastened to the upper side of said second beam; and   a second deadman having its forward end fastened to the upper side of said first beam, adjacent the end of said third beam, and extending rearwardly from said first beam, and having its rearward end fastened to the upper side of said spacer block to support the rearward end of said deadman during and after back filling of dirt against the retaining wall;     each said spacer block, deadmen and beams having the same cross-sectional width, the cross-sectional width taken along a line cut perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said spacer block, deadmen end beams;   each said spacer block, deadmen and beam having a longitudinal length equal to a multiple of said cross-sectional width, so as to form modular building components;   each said modular building component having at least one vertical anchor hole and at least one vertical pilot hole therein;   each anchor hole extending completely through the building component and including an upper countersunk portion and a lower shank portion, the countersunk portion extending downwardly from the upper side of the building component and having diameter greater than said shank portion of said hole;   each said pilot hole extending downwardly from the upper side of the modular building component and only partially therethrough;   each said beam member having at least two anchor holes therethrough, one located adjacent each end thereof and positioned along the longitudinal center line of the upper side of said beam;   each said beam member having at least three pilot holes therein, located along a longitudinal line spaced rearwardly from the longitudinal center line of the beam, and spaced apart;   each said deadman having at least two anchor holes therethrough, one located adjacent each end thereof and positioned along the longitudinal center line of the deadman;   each said deadman having at least one pilot hole therein located along the longitudinal center line and between said rearward anchor hole and the rearward end of the deadman;   each said spacer block having an anchor hole therethrough generally centered in the upper side;   each said spacer block having a pilot hole therein located along the longitudinal center line of the upper side between said anchor hole and said rearward side; and   said anchor holes and pilot holes being located in said modular building components such that fasteners extending through anchor holes in the upper course will register with the pilot holes in the lower course to cause the upper course to be stepped back with respect to the lower course.